Well basically the MEPs, as opposed to the Commission, decided to take matters into their own hands so the member states got together and created a draft resolution in which they laid out their concerns about the various things that have been going on in Poland including the logging issue. I imagine that the Independence Day 'celebrations' were the final straw for a lot of other members. The resolution was voted on by the Parliament and as it's been passed, the Civil Liberties Committee will now prepare a proposal which calls on the European Council to trigger Article 7.

I think what's heartening about it is that it's an initiative coming, not from the administrative wing of the EU, but from the member states themselves, Poland's peers. If it comes to sanctions, I wouldn't bet on Orban keeping his word either. He's a self-serving individual and will act in his own interests, not Poland's.

Just to add, regarding Hungary's veto, a similar resolution was adopted by the European Parliament against Hungary a few months ago, so the first step has already been taken in triggering Article 7 against them.There has been quite a lot of discussion in the media in recent months about the possibility of Article 7 being triggered simultaneously against both countries, thus preventing the veto. I was just watching Guy Verhofstadt speaking in Parliament a few minutes ago and he actually said that the time has come to act against Hungary also. Interesting times lie ahead.

also the European Commission doesn't need the Europarliament approval or instigation to invoke Article 7 of Lisbon Treaty as far as I know - so? what are they waiting for? they could have done it 2 years ago, no?

The Council needs to decide by unanimity and the Parliament needs to give its consent. The EU as a community doesn't believe in using such measures, except as an absolute last resort. That's why they've faffed around for so long.

aha, hmm - well maybe it changes a thing - but I will voice my opinion on that matter on Polish forums - ani kroku wstecz - not a step back - **** this idiotic club of the EU with double standards - the same rules for appointing judges are in place in Germany yet there is no accusation of 'breach of the rule of the law' for Germany

btw I am not bothered by the so called EU sanctions - the current financial perspective was anyway the last one where Poland was getting any substantial EU funds

Of course they won't because they know Poland, Hungary, Czech and now Austria are all united in their position on the EU's political infringement especially as it pertains to Merkels' now labeled burden which was previously referred to as cultural enrichment. Eastern and Western Europe are totally divided on this issue. The EU has in secret pushed a political union upon European citizens with a commission whom the people did not vote for. Even when countries rejected parts of the EU's dictates, like Holland, they just brought it in the back door anyway. Their far left socialist stance is only dividing Europe. They refuse to have a comprehensive realistic debate on how to solve the migrant crisis not to mention other issues like the unstable and declining Euro.

The v4 + 1 (Austria) is going to have each other's back esp PL and Hungary. Like PiS said, there is nothing the EU can do that is worse than forcing migrants onto PL. This has left the unelected douchebags like Juncker and his biatch I mean deputy Timmermans scratching their head along with Merkel - who refuses to even hold a German flag...

Poland doesn't even want to enter the Eurozone anyway... it's also rejected the IMF while at the same time growing its FDI consistently for a decade and rebuilding the entire country - with EU investments being used wisely and not to build stadiums like in Greece or any of the PIGS countries which are using the euro. Poland's growth is consistently outpacing Germany, France, etc. We've done without the Euro and can easily continue to. EU's problem is that Poland, V4, and even people involved with Brexit has called it's bluff time and time again. They cannot enforce their dictates without a pyrrhic victory.

this idiotic club of the EU with double standards - the same rules for appointing judges are in place in Germany yet there is no accusation of 'breach of the rule of the law' for Germany

This is not true. In Germany, each judge needs to be approved by 2/3 of the members in both chambers of the German parliament.

@ Dirk please inform yourself about how the Eu works before you write your posts. Juncker is for example democratically elected, and the Visegrad group (with the exception of Hungary, but they might get under fire as well) have already stated that they won't back Poland over this.

No he is not. Not by Polish people, not by German people, or any other EU nation. He is elected by the E Parliament which is stuffed with leftists from Germany, France, etc. and other countries attempting to push their 'burden' on countries who have nothing to do with the migrant crisis and do not want them. These people should be investigated for their collusion with Soros organization pushing for no borders and open migration along with the destruction of Christian Europe and religious and patriotic Slavs and V4 citizens but that's another story...

ave already stated that they won't back Poland over this

Good for them. So far its over 2 years and no migrants forced upon Poland from the EU, and no Islamic terror - despite us taking in over a million Ukranians ON OUR OWN because WE decided we wanted to. There will be no migrants forced upon Poland - and I think the marches on Saturday proved that. 75% of Poles reject migration from ME and Africa (source: CBOS).

Besides, Poland doesn't want to join the Eurozone because its weak and is gradually becoming a net payee. All they can do is try to withhold EU funds, which to my understanding are set anyway till something like 2019-2020 if not later. The problem is far too many countries and citizens East of Germany are rejecting the EU's dictates and becoming increasingly nation oriented and rejecting migration.

Juncker was elected by the European parliament which was in return elected by the European people, end of discussion. Just because you don't like him doesn't change his democratic legitimacy.

- despite us taking in over a million Ukranians ON OUR OWN because WE decided we wanted to.

Sure, just like millions of Polish people have since the 2000s emigrated to other European countries. This has however nothing to do with the refugee situation.

Poland doesn't want to join the Eurozone because its weak and is gradually becoming a net payee.

When, in 2050? Maybe Poland will become a net payee in a few decades, but not sooner.

And yes, Poland will receive almost certainly less money from the next structural funds next time, which in return will last for several years. So the Polish people will have to suffer the consequences even after the current government is out of power. Which is sad, but a logical consequence.

How have the Brexit morons called their bluff ? Right now they are begging to remain a bit longer in the single market and the govt is probably going to fall pushing through a brexit bill. The EU is merely standing back and letting them self destruct

As a rule, each decision on the initial employment, vesting with lifetime tenure or promotion of a judge is taken by the department of justice. Yet in some of the states there is some kind of a parliamentary body that needs to be heard or even has a say in some of the decisions on careers of individual judges (Richterwahlausschuss). The mostly decisive influence of the administration on the career of judges is exceptional in continental Europe, where mostly bodies of judges, elected by and within the judiciary take this kind of decision (e.g., France: conseil superieur de la magistrature, Italy: consiglio superiore della magistratura). By some it is regarded as a threat to judicial independence that with a view to their personal career judges might be inclined to specially regard possible political effects of their decisions or may choose to support a political party.

this is from wikipedia entry on German judiciary - it says it's administration of Bundeslaedner has the most say in appointing judges - so Tacitus - what would you say?

you moron. Last time Serbians overrun Poland, Poles got their golden age and Polish enemies penis between eyes. I mean all Polish enemies, that decided to be one. You better pray to Christ and to Svetovid that Serbians come when the right moment come.

Sure, just like millions of Polish people have since the 2000s emigrated to other European countries. This has however nothing to do with the refugee situation.

No it doesn't. The two are unrelated. We didn't ask for the host nations to rent us out a cruise ship and put us up in hotels, while demanding that they give us money so we can buy pierogi, placki, schabowe as well as send some back home (which migrants openly say they send money back to Syria/Iraq/etc in numerous interviews) because we don't like the food they give us for free. We came to work in those countries and the EU rules allowed us to. If the Muslims become EU citizens, they too can work in Poland if they decide to.

When, in 2050? Maybe Poland will become a net payee in a few decades, but not sooner.

Actually, they're aiming to be a net payee by the 2020's and already pay in around a bil a year while taking 7-9bil in investment funds. Hopefully the EU collapses first due to the leftists' refusal to compromise and desire to destroy Christian European society so Poland can just leave and not have to pay any money but still gets to enjoy the infrastructure the Germans, Brits, etc funded. Talk about having your cake and eating it too.

And timmermans was appointed, Juncker was chosen by MEP's which are full of far left radicals from Germany, Belgium, France, etc.

politico.eu/article/timmermans-takes-poland-complaints-to-the-peopleThis is a year old - timmermans still hasn't been able to do sh1t to Poland

All unelected Eurocrats can do bark and bark and bark but never bite - and it looks like they never will.

'Where's the legitimacy?' Poland hits out at EU's 'unelected bureaucrats' in new rownewsbreakouts.com/wheres-the-legitimacy-poland-hits-out-at-eus-unelected-bureaucrats-in-new-row

"Fortunately, this activity of Mr. Timmermans is not taken seriously by the ratings agencies, by investors or by business people."Absolutely true. Despite the losers and zaKODowani's claims, FDI continues to flow in, unemployment hit a new record low, and the economy is chugging along and growing more than Germany, France, etc.

Its already happening slowly but surely with V4 + Austria now cozying up to us.

no, Austria would later join with Germany, when final borders among civilizations would be drawn. Same as Croatia. I mean, that what remain of Croatia when shifting of borders in the region cease (ongoing process; but after all what borders in Europe are final; non for sure).